Defensive miscue against FEU's Parker only fueled Matt Nieto

MANILA, Philippines – Matt Nieto is rightly being hailed as one of the heroes of Ateneo de Manila University's cardiac 88-84 overtime win against Far Eastern University on Wednesday, a victory that sent them to the UAAP Season 80 Finals.

Yet for a crucial stretch in the fourth quarter, it appeared as though the steady floor general would be a goat.

Matt Nieot (12). TiebreakerTimes photo

With 30 seconds left in regulation, and Ateneo clinging to a slim 72-71 lead, Nieto found himself left in the dust of FEU point guard Jasper Parker, who raced to the rim and elevated for the go-ahead bucket. In Ateneo's next possession, Nieto tried for his patented shot – a fadeaway jumper after stopping on a dime and spinning to his left – and came up short.

He was forced to foul Parker, who coolly knocked down two charities for a 75-72 advantage.

It was this series of uncharacteristically erratic plays that fueled Nieto in overtime, which Ateneo forced after he and Isaac Go conspired for the game-tying three-pointer with 8.5 seconds to go.